Several cases detected – FHI hunts the source of contamination in foodstuffs – news Vestland

This week it became known that there is a major salmonella outbreak in Norway. news is now informed that several new cases have been detected. There are now a total of 42 confirmed salmonella cases, which is 11 more than on Monday, Preben Aavitsland, department director at FHI, tells news. The infected are between the ages of 1 and 88. The new cases are in counties in several parts of the country. 13 of the cases are in Vestland. – We find it unpleasant, because there could still be a food product out there that infects people, he says. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Institute of Public Health, the Veterinary Institute and municipal chief medical officers around the country are now working to try to clarify the outbreak. Salmonella Salmonella is one of the most common causes of contagious gastrointestinal infection. Infections usually occur from foodstuffs – most often meat products are the cause. A salmonella infection is an inflammation of the small intestine caused by salmonella bacteria. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of infectious gastrointestinal infection. The infection occurs most frequently in the summer, mainly due to increased travel activity during this period. Source: Norsk Helseinformatikk It may take weeks to find the source The source of infection is still unknown. Intensive work is underway to map what the infected have eaten, according to Aavitsland. – These are cases that were infected some time ago, but it is only now that they have been confirmed, he says. He emphasizes that it is not certain that it will be possible to find the source of the infection. – We are still looking broadly, and dare not rule anything out. It can take weeks, he says. Looking in online banks and receipts The Norwegian Food Safety Authority informs news that they expect most people to have fallen ill during the first weeks of November. – The Norwegian Food Safety Authority now collects information from the sick people about what they have eaten and what they have been in contact with, says Catherine Signe Svindland, senior adviser in the biological food safety section of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The Salmonella patients are asked for receipts and details from online banking to find out what and where they have shopped in recent weeks. – It may also be relevant to take samples of food and food residues and food packaging. In addition, we are in contact with various actors within the grocery industry to get a better overview, says Svindland to news. I think the food has been in the whole country Gastrointestinal bacteria are usually transmitted through food. The people who have been diagnosed with the bacteria live in many different counties. – It is therefore likely that they are infected through a foodstuff that is distributed throughout the country, says Svindland to news. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has come up with the following tips to prevent the spread of salmonella bacteria: Good kitchen hygiene and good hand hygiene If you are ill with diarrhoea, you should also avoid cooking for others. A general and good piece of advice is to heat treat food. Sufficient boiling or deep-frying kills the Salmonella bacteria. Some fruits and vegetables cannot be heat treated before you eat them. Rinse and wash these well, it is also an advantage if you dry them whenever possible.



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